HK1209533B - Input device and method for generating a control signal - Google Patents

Description

Input device and method for generating control signal

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an input device and a method for generating a control signal by applying pressure to an input area of a plate-like element.

Background

A call input device of an elevator installation is known from WO 2009/153386 a1, which call input device comprises a control panel for generating electrical control signals for influencing an elevator control. The control panel refers to a flat, uninterrupted panel having a plurality of touch sensitive areas, each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of different control signals to be generated. At least one sensor is mounted on the control panel, which detects vibrations of the control panel at the sensor, which are generated by touching one of the touch-sensitive areas, and transmits them to the computer unit. The computer unit compares the detected vibration data with stored vibration data generated and stored by touching the respective touch sensitive areas during the calibration process. If the currently detected vibration data correspond to stored vibration data corresponding to a certain touch-sensitive area, the call input device generates a control signal which transmits information to the controller of the elevator installation: so that certain touch sensitive areas are activated.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an input device of the type mentioned above and a method in which the detection of the touching of a touch-sensitive area of a control panel formed by a flat-plate-shaped element can be realized by simpler means and thus more functionally reliably and cost-effectively.

The object is solved by an input device for generating a control signal and by a method for generating a control signal, as described below. Advantageous embodiments and improvements emerge from the dependent claims.

Accordingly, an input device for generating a control signal comprises:

a control panel formed of a flat plate-like member and having a front surface and a rear surface,

an input region on the front side of the control panel, wherein the position of the input region is marked by means of a marking on the front side of the control panel, and the control panel can be arranged in a curved manner at least in the region of the input region, and

a sensor mounted on an area of the back surface of the control panel opposite to one of the input areas in such a manner that: so that the sensor detects a bending of the control panel occurring in the area of the input area.

In another aspect, a method for generating a control signal using such an input device includes the steps of:

pressure is applied by a user of the device to the input area of the control panel, thereby bending the control panel in the area of the input area and, in turn, bending the bending sensor.

As a result of the bending sensor, an electrical signal is generated or altered by the bending sensor,

the electrical signal of the bending sensor is converted by a signal transmitter circuit into a control signal having the desired characteristics.

The expression "plate-like element" is understood here to mean a square component or a square region of a component, the thickness or height of which is relatively small compared to its length and width. The faces bounding such "flat plate-like elements" form the front and back faces thereof and are substantially flat. The "plate-like elements" can be formed, for example, from sheet metal, from synthetic material or from wood.

The feature "the control panel is arranged to be bendable at least in the region of the input area" or "the input area is marked in the bendable region of the control panel" here means: the plate-like element forming the control panel is arranged in such a way that it can be bent unhindered at least in the area of the at least one input area when a pressure is applied to the at least one input area.

The input device and method for generating a control signal are advantageous in that: for the generation of the control signal by applying a pressure on the input areas of the control panel formed by the plate-shaped element, no complex evaluation means for detecting, storing and comparing vibration data exciting different vibrations by touching at least one input area is required. In this case, only one signal transmitter circuit with a simple amplifier circuit is required for each sensor corresponding to an input field, which signal transmitter circuit converts the signal of the sensor, which signal is generated by the bending of the control panel, into a control signal with the desired properties. Another significant advantage of the input device is that: the control panel can be formed by an uninterrupted, flat area of a member, such as a large sheet-like structure. The solution is therefore significantly less complex overall and therefore more reliable and less costly to operate, and relies on the possibility of integrating the control panel into existing components, which allows for a more aesthetically advantageous use that is less prone to soiling and to damage.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor generates or changes the electrical signal when a user of the input device causes a sufficient degree of bending of the control panel in the area of the input area by applying pressure to the input area. Thereby, by means of the simplest means: a finger press of an input area or one of a plurality of possible input areas of a consecutive control panel can be converted into an electrical signal of a sensor of the corresponding input area. As a result, an input device is obtained which is less prone to contamination, less prone to damage and which operates very reliably.

In another possible embodiment, the sensor is mounted on the rear side of the control panel in the region opposite the input field in the following manner: so that the bending of the control panel in the area of the input area by pressure causes the sensor to deform. Such a deformation may be, for example, a bending deformation or a drawing deformation of the sensor. In this way, a particularly simple and cost-effective solution is achieved for detecting a bending of the control panel in the region of the input field and thus for detecting a pressure applied to the input field.

In another possible embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the input device includes a signal emitter circuit that generates a control signal having a desired characteristic in relation to an electrical signal generated or altered by the sensor. Thereby, what is achieved is: the electrical signal of the sensor generated by the finger pressing on the input area can be converted into a control signal of the input device having the desired characteristics by simple and cost-effective means.

In another possible embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the sensor or at least one sensor is implemented as a piezoelectric bending sensor or a tensile strain measuring band bending sensor. What is achieved thereby is: the detection can be carried out by simple, operationally reliable and inexpensive means: whether a pressure acts on the input area.

In another possible embodiment, at least one sensor is glued to the rear side of the control panel on the area opposite the input area. What is achieved thereby is: the detection of the pressure, which is applied to the control panel, which is embodied as an uninterrupted tablet, for example in the form of a finger press, can be realized in a operationally reliable manner by commercially available, cost-effective means and low manufacturing effort. An alternative solution consists in: the sensor is not bonded to the area of the rear side of the control panel opposite the input field, but rather is only pressed elastically against this area.

In a further possible embodiment, the at least one signal transmitter circuit of the input device comprises a low-pass filter, which reduces disturbing vibrations of the sensor electrical signal. Such disturbing vibrations may be caused by finger pressure when the user of the input device applies pressure to the input area of the control panel, or by other sources of disturbance (e.g., tremor of the control panel). By using a low-pass filter, such sources of interference are excluded as much as possible and the operational reliability of the input device is thereby increased.

In a further possible embodiment, the at least one signal transmitter circuit of the input device comprises at least one amplifier circuit, which amplifies the electrical signal of the sensor. This has the following advantages in particular: so that control signals which are acquired on the basis of electrical signals and which need to be transmitted from the input device via a relatively large distance are sufficiently strong and insensitive to interfering signals.

In a further possible embodiment, at least one signal transmitter circuit of the input device comprises an amplifier circuit with an adjustably variable amplification. Thereby, for example, it is possible to realize: the signal of the sensor is amplified to a particularly large extent when the sensor is assigned to a control panel formed by a plate-shaped element with an increased bending resistance.

Another possible embodiment is characterized in that at least one of the signal transmitter circuits of the input device comprises a threshold circuit which converts the amplified electrical signal of the sensor, which is dependent on the dynamics of the pressure application, into a rectangular signal. Thereby, a well-defined and reliable transmission of the generated signal is ensured.

In another possible embodiment, the input device is configured in the following manner:

the control panel has a plurality of input areas and a plurality of sensors,

the back of the control panel is provided with sensors in the areas opposite to the input area,

the input device comprises a plurality of signal transmitter circuits, of which one signal transmitter is connected to each of the sensors and in turn corresponds to one of the input areas,

when pressure is applied to the input area corresponding to one of the sensors, one of the sensors generates or changes an electrical signal and a signal transmitter circuit connected to the one of the sensors generates a control signal having a desired characteristic.

What is achieved thereby is: a plurality of input fields can be arranged on a control panel which is uninterrupted, not easily soiled and not easily destroyed, and the corresponding control signals can be generated for each input field in a operationally reliable and cost-effective manner.

A further possible embodiment is characterized in that the input device is part of the elevator installation and is used by an elevator user to generate at least one control signal for influencing the control of the elevator installation. What is achieved thereby is: the elevator installation can be provided with a less-expensive input device for control commands, which is less susceptible to contamination, less susceptible to damage and reliable in operation.

Another possible embodiment is characterized in that the control panel of the input device is the following part of the elevator installation:

plate-like elements of shaft door frames made of steel sheet, or

A part of a flat front panel of a shaft door leaf made of steel plate, or

A part of a flat, storey-side wall lining, or

A portion of a flat plate-shaped elevator car wall or a portion of a flat plate-shaped car wall liner of an elevator car. This embodiment of the input device has significant advantages: the input device can be arranged with particularly low expenditure and can therefore be realized particularly cost-effectively.

In another possible embodiment, the input device comprises a transmitter which transmits the generated control signal wirelessly to a receiver of the elevator control. This has the following advantages in particular: no wires need to be laid between the elevator control and a large number of input devices, e.g. elevator call devices, arranged on the floor of the elevator installation. The resulting simplicity achieves significant cost savings, particularly in elevator installations having numerous floors.

Drawings

In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained with the aid of the figures.

Figure 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a control panel according to a first embodiment of the input device,

figure 1B shows a cross-sectional view of a control panel according to a second embodiment of the input device,

figure 2A shows a block diagram of the main components and functions of an input device provided with a bending sensor according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2B shows a block diagram according to FIG. 2A of an input device provided with a bending sensor according to a second embodiment, an

Fig. 3 shows a view of a shaft door of an elevator installation and an elevator car positioned behind it, with a possible configuration of an input device or of a marked input zone of such an input device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A and 1B each show a sectional view of an input device 1 for generating at least one control signal. The input device 1 comprises a control panel 2 formed by a plate-like element, for example a sheet of metal, synthetic material or wood. On the front face 2.1 of the control panel 2 at least one input area 3 is provided, to which a user 4 can apply pressure in order to cause the input means to generate a control signal corresponding to the input area. The position of the input area 3 is marked on the control panel 2 by means of a marking 5, which in this embodiment is represented as a circular ring around the center 3.1 of the input area 3. However, the marking 5 can also be configured differently, for example as a circular surface or a cross, in order to mark the center of the input area. Such a marking can be applied, for example, by engraving, etching, painting or by sticking a film printed with the marking to the front face 2.1 of the control panel 2.

In addition, the input device 1 comprises at least one sensor 6, which is mounted on the area of the rear face of the control panel 2 opposite the input area in such a way that: so that the sensor can detect a bending of the control panel in the area of the input area 3 due to the applied pressure. Preferably, the sensor 6 is glued to the back of the control panel 2 for this purpose by means of a suitable adhesive.

In the first embodiment of the input device 1 shown in fig. 1A, the sensor 6 is in the form of a piezoelectric bending sensor 6a which detects a bending of the control panel 2 due to the application of pressure. The piezoelectric bending sensor 6a is affixed to the rear face 2.2 of the control panel in the region opposite the input area 3 as follows: so that the piezoelectric bending sensor obtains substantially the same degree of bending as the control panel 2 in the area of the input area 3. Such a piezoelectric bending sensor essentially comprises a piezoelectric ceramic plate 6a.1 with two (very large) outer faces, which are each connected to a metallic planar electrode 6 a.2. The bending of such a piezoelectric bending sensor generates a compressive stress in the area of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 6a.1 lying close to the large outer face and a tensile stress in the area lying close to the other large outer face. When a bending or compressive or tensile stress occurs, a minimal mechanical transport of charge carriers is induced in the piezoelectric ceramic plate 6a.1 transversely to the large outer faces, which leads to charge differences between the outer faces or between the flat electrodes 6a.2 which are electrically conductively connected thereto. This charge difference appears as an electrical signal of the piezoelectric bending sensor 6a that is related to the bending strength. This electrical signal is further conducted by means of the connecting wire 6a.2 and evaluated by a signal transmitter circuit, which is described below and is designated here by the reference numeral 10a, in order to generate a control signal when a force is applied to the input region of the control panel.

In a second embodiment of the input device 1, shown in fig. 1B, the sensor 6 is in the form of a tensile strain measuring band bending sensor 6B, which detects bending of the control panel 2 in the region of the input area 3 due to the applied pressure. The tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6b is affixed in the area of the back surface 2.2 of the control panel opposite the input area 3 as follows: so that the tensile strain measuring band bending sensor obtains the same tension as the mentioned area of the back surface 2.2 of the control panel when the control panel is bent.

Such tensile strain measuring band bending sensors usually comprise a very thin conductor band applied galvanically to a carrier film in a meandering configuration, wherein a substantial part of the length of the conductor band extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tensile measuring method. When such a tensile strain measuring tape is affixed to a member in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of the tensile strain measuring tape extends parallel to the direction in which the surface of the member is stretched, the entire conductor length and thus also the resistance of the tensile strain measuring tape is changed by the amount of stretching.

In a second embodiment of the input device 1, shown in fig. 1B, the control panel 2 is bent by applying pressure in the area of the input area 3, so that the back side of the control panel obtains a corresponding amount of stretch in the area of the input area 3, which is transferred to a stretch strain measuring tape bend sensor attached to said area. Due to this stretching of the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6b, the electrical resistance of the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6b changes. When the tensile strain measuring band bending sensor 6b is connected by means of its connecting wire 6b.3 to a signal transmitter circuit, which is described below and is denoted here by reference numeral 10b, a force is applied to the input area 3 of the control panel 2 causing a force-dependent change in the voltage drop in the circuit of the tensile strain measuring band bending sensor 6b. The voltage drop is evaluated as an electrical signal of the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6b by the signal emitter circuit 10b to generate a control signal when a force is applied to the input area of the control panel.

The input device may comprise a control panel 2 comprising a plurality of input areas 3 arranged next to each other and a plurality of sensors 6 respectively corresponding to one of the input areas, each input area and thus also each sensor 6 corresponding thereto with a signal transmitter circuit 10, wherein each signal transmitter circuit generates a control signal having the desired characteristics when the sensor of the corresponding signal transmitter circuit generates or changes an electrical signal, because a pressure is applied to the input area corresponding to the sensor.

Adjacent to the rear side of the control panel 2 in the region of the at least one input field 3, there is an installation space for at least one sensor 6 fastened to the control panel. Furthermore, the control panel can also be bent to a sufficient extent at least in the region of the at least one input field after the at least one sensor has been mounted. Since the thickness of the sensor provided is of the order of millimeters and in the usual application cases the bending of the control panel in the region of the input area is only a few tenths of a millimeter, it is sufficient for a cavity of approximately 2 millimeters thickness to be present adjacent to the rear side of the control panel.

As an alternative to the attachment of the at least one sensor 6 to the rear side 2.2 of the control panel 2 in the region opposite the input region 3, the sensor 6 can also be pressed elastically against the mentioned rear side of the control panel by means of a holding element. The bending of the control panel 2 in the region of the input region 3 can also be transmitted in this way to the piezoelectric bending sensor 6a or to the tensile strain measuring band bending sensor 6b.

Fig. 2A and 2B show a block-type wiring scheme of the signal transmitter circuit 10, which is provided for generating a control signal having a desired characteristic in dependence on the electrical signal generated or changed by the sensor 6, i.e. in dependence on the presence or strength of a force applied to a corresponding input area of the control panel. The signal transmitter circuits according to fig. 2A and 2B differ in that: the signal emitter circuit cooperates with the different embodiments of the sensor 6 described above in connection with fig. 1A and 1B, wherein said sensor 6 is adapted to detect bending of the corresponding input area. Because the sensors are different, the two signal transmitter circuits have partially different components.

Fig. 2A shows a signal transmitter circuit 10a to which the sensor 6 is connected in the form of a piezo-electric bending sensor 6a. As described above, the piezoelectric bending sensor 6a generates a charge difference between the two planar electrodes when it is bent. This charge difference is represented as an electrical signal dependent on the degree of bending, which is conducted further to the input of the signal transmitter circuit 10a by means of the connecting wire 6 a.3. The signal of the piezo sensor 6a is smoothed by means of the low-pass filter 10a.1 of the signal transmitter circuit 10a and is passed on to an amplifier circuit 10a.2 in the form of a charge amplifier. By this smoothing process, disturbing vibrations of the sensor electrical signal, which are caused for example by tremors of the control panel or by way of finger presses, are reduced.

The mentioned charge amplifier 10a.2 converts the charge for the sensor smoothed signal into a voltage which is approximately proportional to the charge. This voltage is subsequently amplified by an amplifier circuit 10a.3 in the form of a voltage amplifier with an adjustable amplification and supplied to a threshold switch 10a.4 in the form of a schmitt trigger. The adjustably variable magnification achieves: the signal emitter circuit is matched to different application situations, for example to different control panels which obtain different degrees of bending when the same pressure is applied to the input area. The tasks of the threshold switch 10a.4 are: the amplified signal of the sensor, which changes continuously as a function of the applied pressure, is converted into a rectangular signal, i.e. the input signal for controlling the device is abruptly converted between two voltage levels, each at a defined voltage level of the amplified signal of the sensor.

The output signal of the threshold switch 10a.4 of the signal transmitter circuit 10a can be transmitted as a control signal via a signal line to the controller 12 of the device. Depending on the possible embodiment of the input device, the mentioned output signal of the threshold switch 10a can also be transmitted to the transmitting device 10a.6, which converts the mentioned output signal into a wirelessly transmittable control signal and transmits the control signal to a corresponding signal receiver of the device's controller 12. In order to activate the transmitting means 10a.6 only when a transmission signal is required and to consume energy there may be a wake-up circuit 10a.5 which activates the transmitting means when the threshold switch 10a generates an output signal.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic diagram of a signal transmitter circuit 10B to which a sensor 6 in the form of a tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6B is connected. As described above in connection with fig. 1B, the application of pressure to the input area causes the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor to stretch, whereby the electrical resistance of the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor and thus also the voltage signal of the tensile strain measuring tape bending sensor 6B, which is conducted to the input of the signal transmitter circuit 10B via the connecting wire 6b.3, changes approximately in proportion to the mentioned pressure. The signal of the tensile strain measuring band bending sensor 6b is smoothed by means of the low-pass filter 10b.1 of the signal transmitter circuit 10b and fed on to an amplifier circuit 10b.2 in the form of a voltage amplifier. The remaining components and functions of the signal transmitter circuit 10b correspond to the previously described components 10a.3 to 10a.6 of the signal transmitter circuit 10a and their functions.

The input device can be part of an elevator installation, wherein the input device realizes for an elevator user: a control signal is generated for influencing the control 12 of the elevator installation, for example in the manner: an elevator user calls an elevator car at a floor by finger pressing against an input area of a control panel formed by components of the elevator installation.

Fig. 3 shows a shaft door 15 and an elevator car 16 located behind it of an elevator installation with a possible embodiment of an input device. In this case, in the different input devices, only the marking 5 indicating the input field is visible in each case, since the control panel comprising the input field or the marking 5 is formed by a flat-plate-like element or a flat-plate-like region of the component of the elevator installation. From fig. 3 can be seen the following plate-like elements or members comprising plate-like areas suitable for forming a control panel of an input device according to the invention:

the door uprights 15.2 of the shaft door frame 15.1 made of sheet metal,

in the region of the shaft door 15, a plate-like shaft wall lining 17 made of sheet metal, synthetic material, wood or the like,

the front panel 15.4 of the shaft door leaf 15.3 made of sheet metal,

the car wall 16.1 or the car wall lining 16.2 of the elevator car 16, wherein the car wall or the car wall lining can be constructed from sheet metal, synthetic material, wood or another material.

Claims (15)

1. An input device (1) for generating a control signal, comprising:

a control panel (2) having a front face (2.1) and a rear face (2.2);

an input region (3) on the front side (2.1) of the control panel (2), wherein the position of the input region (3) is marked on the front side (2.1) of the control panel (2) by means of a marking (5), and the control panel (2) is arranged in a bendable manner at least in the region of the input region (3); and

a sensor (6) which is arranged on a region of the rear side (2.2) of the control panel (2) which is opposite to the input region (3) in the following manner: such that the sensor detects a curvature of the control panel (2) occurring in the region of the input field (3),

the control panel comprising the input area and the marking (5) is formed by an uninterrupted flat area of the elevator installation component, so that only the marking (5) indicating the input area is visible in each of the different input devices.

2. The input device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (6) generates or changes an electrical signal when a user of the input device (1) deforms the control panel (2) to a sufficient extent in the area of the input area (3) by applying pressure to the input area (3).

3. The input device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor (6) is mounted on the back face (2.2) of the control panel (2) in such a way that: the sensor (6) is deformed by the bending of the control panel (2) in the region of the input region (2) as a result of the pressure being applied.

4. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the input device (1) comprises a signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10b) which generates a control signal in relation to the electrical signal generated or changed by the sensor (6).

5. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the sensor (6) is implemented as a piezoelectric bending sensor or as a tensile strain gauge tape bending sensor.

6. An input device (1) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the sensor (6) is glued on the area of the back surface (2.2) of the control panel (2) opposite to the input area (3).

7. The input device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10b) of the input device (1) comprises a low-pass filter (10a.1) which reduces disturbing vibrations of the electrical signal of the sensor (6).

8. The input device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10b) of the input device (1) comprises an amplifier circuit (10a.2, 10a.3, 10b.2) which amplifies the electrical signal of the sensor (6).

9. The input device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the amplifier circuit has an adjustably variable amplification.

10. The input device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10b) of the input device (1) comprises a threshold circuit (10a.4) which converts the amplified electrical signal of the sensor (6) into a rectangular signal.

11. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 1-3,

the control panel having a plurality of input areas (3) and a plurality of sensors (6),

sensors (6) are respectively arranged on the areas of the back surface (2.2) of the control panel (2) opposite to the input area (3),

the input device (1) comprises a plurality of signal transmitter circuits (10 a; 10b), in each of which a signal transmitter circuit is connected to one of the sensors (6) and in turn corresponds to one of the input fields (3),

when pressure is applied to the input area (3) corresponding to one of the sensors (6), the one of the sensors (6) generates or changes an electrical signal and the signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10b) connected to the one of the sensors (6) generates a control signal.

12. An elevator installation with an input device (1) according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. Elevator installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the control panel (2) of the input device (1) is the following part of the elevator installation:

flat plate-like elements of a shaft door frame (15.1) made of sheet steel, or

A part of a flat front panel (15.4) of a shaft door leaf (15.3) made of steel sheet, or

A part of a flat plate-like wall lining (17) on the floor side, or

A part of a flat-plate-shaped elevator car wall (16.1) or a part of a flat-plate-shaped car wall lining (16.2) of an elevator car (16).

14. Elevator arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the input device (1) comprises a transmitter (10a.6) which transmits the generated control signal wirelessly to a signal receiver of an elevator controller.

15. A method for generating a control signal with an input device (1) according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

applying pressure to the input area (3) of the control panel (2), thereby bending the control panel (2) in the area of the input area (3) and thereby bending the bending sensor (6),

as a result of the bending sensor (6): generating or varying an electrical signal by the bending sensor (6), an

The electrical signal of the bending sensor (6) is converted into a control signal by a signal transmitter circuit (10 a; 10 b).